Forums > Community Stuff > Women Playing Guitar
Jump:
Forums > Community Stuff > Women Playing Guitar
Original message:269 days 22 hours 34 minutes ago
+ 1  
Member: guitaress
63
WebCred
I've noticed 1 post by a woman. I think it's cool when I see other women playing guitar, drums, bass all of which I've played in bands except for the guitar which is my favorite. What are your experience as women musicans. And men what do you think of women musicians. Please no rude comments. My former band mates used tell me women are okay , but they just don't rock. I don't agree with that, but is that most men's opinion?
My gear recommendations:
Reply:269 days 22 hours 25 minutes ago
Member: Xarkzila
    + 1  
2364
WebCred
Not from what I've seen in the studio. In fact we had an all women group in this past spring. They were all pros, and sounded damned good. The guitar player knows her stuff and does sessions and fill ins around the country. The only thing that was difficult was that it was all women, so they talk about "women stuff." If you're not prepared, or easily embarassed, or have your eyes closed, except for the explicit nature of the subject matter, (and the higher voices,) you'd swear you were in a mens locker room!

We've had lots of women in the studio. I see little difference with men in the quality of their play. Now if I could only convince ONE of them that the acoustics in the studio are much better if you're playing naked. (Since I've been unable to convince any of them, I'd also have to conclude they're probably smarter than given credit for too!)
My gear recommendations:
  
"The music industry is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where theives and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side..."
http://www.cleargravy.com
Reply:269 days 22 hours 18 minutes ago
Member: Xarkzila
    + 1  
2364
WebCred
In fact, my chief and I have a great idea for a women's band name...

It comes from our local tobacco store. The woman at the counter is usually in a complete haze. Can't add 2+2. Can take 5 minutes or more to use the register, especially if you buy more than one of anything! In fact, there have been times I've walked in the door to hear another customer asking her if she's alright. Her usual answer is, "I don't know..." She also has two little poodles that can't control their libidos.

Hence the band name of:

Nicotine Zombie and the Humping Poodles.

We see it as a retro, 50's, punk-a-billy format where the band members put on zombie makeup and wear poodle skirts.
My gear recommendations:
  
"The music industry is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where theives and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side..."
http://www.cleargravy.com
Reply:269 days 22 hours 10 minutes ago
Member: dcunning30
    + 1  

2235
WebCred
To me, music is a performance based activity. Either you have chops or you don't. Your race, your age, or your sex has nothing to do with it.
My music recommendations:
Reply:269 days 20 hours 40 minutes ago
Member: ibzRG
    + 1  
2019
WebCred
In music, cars and many other aspects where sex cliches appear, for me it is as simple as that:

Regardless of sex, some people have it in them and many don't. What the difference between men and women seems to be is where the most wannabes turn their attention on. Guys are inclined towards wanting to be rockstars, women have usually different fantasies.
That said, there are women musicians who can play circles around many of the guys. In fact the good/mediocre ratio in women musicians is probably far bigger than the same ratio for guys, because there seem to be less wannabe-musicians among women.


So when I see/hear someone who has it, I don't care if they carry a pair of X chromosomes or if they are XY or anything in between or beyond that.
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
My status
Reply:269 days 14 hours 32 minutes ago
Member: shanejohnson2002
    + 2  
1776
WebCred
I agree that sex, race, religion and really any demographic delineations hold no sway in the world of performing arts. That being said (and I know I'll sound like a jerk/ass for saying this) I think it'd damned sexy when a good-looking girl is also a good musician. It just says something for personality and intelligence, usually.
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:269 days 13 hours 27 minutes ago
Member: Jippy
    + 1  
75
WebCred
My Mother plays the bass - gave me my first lesson
Reply:269 days 21 minutes ago
Member: Evil Kitty
    + 1  
304
WebCred
I think women are thought of as "lesser" in rock type genres - note I am not saying I agree. Realistically how many women rock players (non-singers) can you name - Jennifer Batton/Lita Ford (Guitars) - Melissa Auf De Mar (Bass), the band Kittie. I am sure there are more - but you get the point. If you go into more acoustic genres like folk or country you see more women - mainly guitarist/singers - ala Jewel, Sheryl Crow etc...etc.... I think all girl bands are viewed as gimmicky.
I would bet if you talked to a Jennifer Batten or Lita Ford they would tell you it was a lot harder for them then their male counterparts. If you are a female guitarist/bassist/drummer I would recommend being in a band that is not all girl and establish yourself - I would say to be taken seriously you will need to be better then the males and then you can help break this stereotype. I think there is no reason woman can not be great players and become more accepted and integrated in the male dominated genres.
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Moslem or Christians Mullah or Pope, Preacher or poet who was it wrote Give any one species too much rope And they'll f*ck it up.
Reply:268 days 23 hours 44 minutes ago
Member: MizzLizzBeck
    + 1  
349
WebCred
Yay! Recognition for female guitarists! I love it. I'm not one of these sterio-typical feminists who think there's a "glass ceiling" for women in rock music, but I think that women do deserve more recognition in music for something other than ass-shaking. Web-cred for all of you!
My gear recommendations:
  
Rock my socks, biotches.
Reply:268 days 22 hours 47 minutes ago
Member: guitaress
    + 1  
63
WebCred
Evil Kitty that is a very honest and real view point. I totally agree. I think it's great that people like shane johnson, ibzRG,Xark,and dcunning exist, but there are people that don't feel that way men or women. I would like to hear from some Lita Ford and Jennifer Batton types. What are your experiences.
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:268 days 16 hours 40 minutes ago
Member: Christian
    + 1  
65
WebCred
i too think there are alot of stereotypes about this.. im not real knowledgeable about alot of women artists in rock and stuff, but women are pretty popular musicians in other genres.. like that new girl colbie caliat (i think thats her name) she seems to have a good image.. but thats more pop and country. rock is completely different.
My music recommendations:
Reply:268 days 4 hours 25 minutes ago
Member: evol666
    0  
331
WebCred
I can speak to this on first hand experience as I have been in a lot of mixed gender bands. First, that comment about women not rocking is complete and total bullshit. Rock is 90% attitude and having that demon inside of you is not a question of gender. I think women and men rock in different ways and bring different things to the table. Variety is the spice of life! My current band is all guys and while I love the male bonding, I do miss the mix.

I will say one thing about female lead singers and preface it by admitting that I have a bias against lead singers of all flavors. You know that flakey, always late, never helps gear in/out, princess disease, fragile ego bullshit most lead singers have? In my experience this is amplified when the lead singer is a woman.
My gear recommendations:
  
One thing you don't do is let the singer have creative input on any fucking thing, because they're useless - Noel Gallagher
Reply:267 days 23 hours 46 minutes ago
Member: Evil Kitty
    + 1  
304
WebCred
I actually prefer female singers - it is a nice offset to a hard rock backdrop - I have been in female fronted groups the last 10+ years. I think the "stereotype" is more female musicians who are not singers. I think to some extent female singers are perfectly excepted even in rock and Heavy Metal. It is getting more common to see female bass players now and then - but is still pretty rare to see a rock band with a female drummer or lead guitarist (I am not saying it does not exist). I also agree with evol666 that women can rock as hard as a man - it just has not been a norm - we need someone to be that woman who can shred her way to the spotlight. I think Lita Ford was almost there - she could play - but too many people focused more on her looks and singing then her playing. Jennifer Batten is also legitimate with arenas under her belt - but the average person could not tell you who she is. Go look at all the "Best/overrated/underrated" guitar lists on this site - how many women are on them?
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Moslem or Christians Mullah or Pope, Preacher or poet who was it wrote Give any one species too much rope And they'll f*ck it up.
Reply:268 days 33 minutes ago
Member: Hippieway
    0  
929
WebCred
Subjects such as this always crack me up. I know a lot of people that put a lot of importance in race, religion, and sex. I don't except for sex and then that comes down to me and her behind closed doors. I have been listening to music a long time and I have heard some real crappy things and some really great things and a lot of shit in between. Some of it has been from men and some from women and some from ....well I'm not really sure what they were, but it never mattered who it was, good music is good music and good musicians have played some of it. I listen with my ears not my eyes.
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:267 days 23 hours 40 minutes ago
Member: dcunning30
    0